Play Pocket Guide provides accessible, practical and compassionate support for parents and carers who are concerned about a child’s emotions, behaviour, confidence, relationships or response to a difficult experience. The platform was created by Debbie Groombridge, a PTUK-trained play therapist with more than 12 years of clinical experience and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Children do not always have the words to explain how they feel. Anxiety, anger, withdrawal, disrupted sleep, friendship difficulties, challenging behaviour and a loss of confidence can all be ways of communicating that something is wrong. Play Pocket Guide helps parents look beyond the behaviour, consider what their child may be experiencing and identify practical ways to offer support.
Families can access a growing collection of guides covering common childhood and parenting concerns, including anxiety, trauma, sleep, ADHD, emotional regulation, friendships, vaping and major changes at home. Each guide is informed by Debbie’s professional training and extensive experience of supporting children and families. The aim is to provide clear, realistic guidance that parents can understand and apply in everyday situations.
Play Pocket Guide also offers personalised email consultations for parents who would like guidance about a specific situation. Parents can explain what has been happening and receive a considered written response directly from Debbie. This flexible service is particularly helpful for families who prefer to have advice in writing, have limited time for appointments or live in a different time zone. An initial consultation includes a follow-up question, allowing parents to clarify part of the guidance if needed.
Online play therapy sessions and parent consultations are also available by secure video, subject to availability. Sessions are tailored to the needs of the individual child or family and provide a safe, supportive space in which concerns can be explored.
Premium membership gives parents access to the full Play Pocket Guide library. Resources include detailed guides, practical strategies, word-for-word scripts for difficult conversations, therapy plans, printable cards, weekly check-ins, progress reports and tools for tracking which approaches are helping. Members can also ask questions through the Community Q&A.
Free membership is available for parents who would like to read selected guides, browse sample strategies, explore recommended resources and visit the digital shop before choosing additional support.
Play Pocket Guide does not treat children as problems that need to be fixed. Its purpose is to help families understand what may be happening beneath the surface, respond with greater confidence and support children as they develop healthier ways to express their feelings and cope with challenges. The guidance provided is informational and is not a replacement for medical care, emergency support or an individual assessment by an appropriate professional.
Phone Number:
07809 759900